Immigration news updates for APAC and EMEA regions
Asia-Pacific
Australia: Stricter assessment of Bridging Visa B applications
Effective November 30, 2026, the Australian Department of Home Affairs will apply a stricter and more individualized assessment process to newly lodged Bridging Visa B (BVB) applications linked to employer-sponsored visa applications. While the legislative requirements for obtaining a BVB remain unchanged, applicants should expect increased scrutiny of travel requests and should no longer assume that lengthy travel facilities will be granted automatically.
A Bridging Visa B allows eligible visa applicants on a Bridging Visa A to temporarily leave and re-enter Australia while their substantive visa application is being processed. Under the revised approach, applicants will need to clearly demonstrate the purpose and necessity of their overseas travel and provide supporting evidence where appropriate.
Key changes include:
- More scrutiny of travel reasons: Applicants must clearly explain why international travel is necessary during the processing of their employer-sponsored visa application. General statements, such as taking a holiday or visiting family, may no longer be sufficient without supporting documentation.
- Shorter travel facilities expected: Travel validity periods are likely to be issued in line with the specific purpose of travel, intended departure and return dates, and individual circumstances, potentially resulting in shorter travel facilities than previously granted.
- Increased documentation requirements: Applicants should be prepared to provide travel itineraries, expected travel dates, detailed reasons for travel, evidence supporting the travel purpose where applicable, and information demonstrating the need to return to Australia. Supporting documents may include medical records, business travel invitations, conference registrations, or evidence relating to family events.
These changes are expected to impact individuals and accompanying family members with pending employer-sponsored visa applications, including Skills in Demand (Subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) visa applicants.
Bridging Visa B applications lodged before November 30, 2026, will continue to be assessed under the current approach. Applicants with existing applications generally do not need to provide additional information unless specifically requested by the Department.
Crown Immigration Recommendation
Employees with pending employer-sponsored visa applications who anticipate overseas travel in the coming months should review their travel plans early and seek immigration advice before making travel commitments. Given the anticipated increase in scrutiny and potentially shorter travel validity periods, careful preparation of BVB applications will be crucial to avoid disruptions to travel and employment arrangements. The recommended timeframe is to apply around four weeks to three months before you intend to travel.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Department of Home Affairs
Hong Kong: APEC Business Travel Card stay period extended to 90 days
The Hong Kong Immigration Department has announced that, effective November 1, 2026, holders of an Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) with Hong Kong SAR pre-clearance will be permitted to stay in Hong Kong visa-free for up to 90 days, an increase from the current 60-day limit.
The change forms part of a broader initiative among several APEC economies to facilitate business travel. China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore have agreed to extend the maximum stay period for eligible visiting ABTC holders from 60 to 90 days, with implementation schedules determined by each participating economy.
All other immigration arrangements for ABTC holders remain unchanged. Cardholders must continue to meet all applicable entry requirements.
The ABTC scheme supports streamlined travel for bona fide business travellers within participating APEC economies. Eligible cardholders with the required pre-clearance can benefit from visa-free stays and may use designated service lanes at selected immigration control points for expedited clearance. The ABTC is normally valid for five years.
The extension provides eligible business travellers with a longer permitted stay in Hong Kong under the ABTC scheme.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from The Government of Hong Kong
New Zealand: Green List changes from March 2027
The New Zealand Government has announced changes to the Green List following the introduction of new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) pathways.
From March 8, 2027, 17 occupations will be removed from the Tier 2 Green List roles for the Work to Residence Visa because they are covered by the new SMC pathways. Changes will also affect special education teachers, Sterilisation Technicians and Career Counsellors.
The Green List is expected to be reviewed in 2027 to ensure it continues to support New Zealand’s workforce needs.
Changes to Work to Residence Visa occupations
The SMC pathways introduced in August 2026 overlap with some existing residence pathways. Removing these occupations from Tier 2 is intended to reduce duplication and help ensure the Green List remains focused on New Zealand’s immigration and workforce needs.
From March 8, 2027, 17 occupations will be removed from the Green List Work to Residence pathway. People in these roles may instead qualify for residence through the SMC, subject to meeting the qualification, work experience, wage and other requirements of the relevant pathway.
For many experienced workers, the new SMC pathways may provide a more accessible route to residence through lower wage thresholds, shorter New Zealand work requirements or no specified qualification requirement, depending on the pathway. However, eligibility requirements differ and the new pathways may not be more accessible for everyone.
The following occupations will be eligible through the SMC Trades and Technician pathway:
- Building Associate (Building Construction Supervisor)
- Automotive Electrician
- Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector)
- Motor Mechanic (General)
- Motorcycle Mechanic
- Panel Beater
- Vehicle Painter
- Metal Fabricator
- Welder
- Fitter (General)
- Fitter and Turner
- Fitter-Welder
- Metal Machinist (First Class)
The following occupations will be eligible through the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway:
- Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator
- Telecommunications Technician
- Paving Plant Operator
- Pressure Welder
Employers will be able to continue recruiting migrants in these occupations through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), provided they meet the relevant requirements. However, the Green List settings currently applicable to these roles, including applicable labour market test exemptions and priority processing for job check and AEWV applications, will no longer apply.
Transitional arrangements
Eligible people who have started accumulating qualifying work experience before the changes take effect can continue counting that work towards the existing 24-month Work to Residence Visa requirement. All other residence requirements will continue to apply.
Changes for special education teachers
Four special education teaching occupations will move from the Work to Residence Visa pathway to the Straight to Residence Visa pathway:
- Special Needs Teacher
- Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
- Teacher of the Sight Impaired
- Special Education Teachers not elsewhere classified
Eligible people in these occupations will be able to apply directly for residence without first completing two years of qualifying work in New Zealand. This will align their residence pathway with comparable teaching roles.
Changes for Sterilisation Technicians
Green List eligibility for Sterilisation Technicians will be limited to graduate and registered members of the New Zealand Sterile Sciences Association. The change is intended to better align Green List eligibility with the professional standards and workforce requirements for the occupation.
Removal of Career Counsellor from Straight to Residence
Career Counsellor will be removed from the Tier 1 Green List roles for the Straight to Residence Visa. The occupation was included when allied healthcare occupations were added to the Green List but does not align with the original focus of those additions.
Career Counsellors may still qualify for residence through the Skilled Migrant Category or another residence pathway if they meet the relevant requirements.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the New Zealand Immigration
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Beynon (Director of Immigration Services, APAC).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Armenia: E-visa requirements simplified for nationals of Egypt, India and Iraq
The Government of Armenia has simplified the electronic visa requirements applicable to nationals of Egypt, India and Iraq.
Effective October 9, 2026, the government repealed paragraph 1.4 of Annex 2 to Government Decision No. 1268-N, which established additional requirements for certain foreign nationals applying for Armenian entry visas.
As a result, the additional conditions previously applicable under paragraph 1.4 no longer apply. Nationals of Egypt, India and Iraq can therefore apply for Armenian e-visas under the general applicable requirements, without having to satisfy the additional documentary conditions previously imposed specifically on these nationalities.
The change does not remove the underlying visa requirement for nationals who otherwise require a visa to travel to Armenia. Applicants should continue to check the applicable visa requirements and documentation before travel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia provides current visa information and access to the official e-visa application system.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Armenian Legal Information System
Kazakhstan: New electronic travel authorisation introduced for visa-free travellers
Kazakhstan has introduced a new Electronic Travel Authorisation, known as QazETA, for foreign nationals entering the country under a visa-free regime.
The QazETA system is being implemented in phases. It became available from November 1, 2026, at Aktau International Airport and the Urlyutobe, Aukhatti, Atameken and Nurly Zhol road border crossings. It will be extended to Astana and Almaty international airports from January 1, 2027, and to all remaining border crossing points from March 1, 2027.
During the transitional period from November 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, obtaining QazETA is recommended but not mandatory, and travellers will not be refused entry solely because they do not hold the authorisation. From July 1, 2027, QazETA will become mandatory for foreign nationals falling within the scope of the new requirements, subject to applicable exemptions.
Applications must be submitted through the QazETA mobile application at least 72 hours before the intended date of entry. The authorisation is issued free of charge, is valid for 180 calendar days, and is linked to the passport used for the application. Travellers must therefore use the same valid passport when entering Kazakhstan. The 180-day validity of QazETA does not determine the permitted period of stay, which continues to be governed by Kazakhstan’s applicable visa and migration rules.
Certain categories of travellers are exempt from the QazETA requirement in accordance with the new rules. Travellers planning visa-free travel to Kazakhstan should therefore check whether the requirement applies to them and, once the mandatory phase takes effect, ensure that the authorisation is obtained sufficiently in advance of travel.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the National Digital Legal System
Lithuania: In-country applications for employment-based residence permit restricted
Effective November 1, 2026, Lithuania introduced new restrictions on who may submit an application for a temporary residence permit based on employment from within the country. The changes follow amendments to Lithuania’s Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners.
Under the new rules, a foreign national legally present in Lithuania may submit an employment-based temporary residence permit application directly to the Migration Department only if they hold a valid Lithuanian temporary residence permit, a Lithuanian national visa, a residence permit issued by another Schengen or EU Member State, or are legally staying in Lithuania under the visa-free regime.
Foreign nationals who are in Lithuania on a Schengen visa issued by Lithuania or another Schengen country, or on a national visa issued by another country, can no longer submit an employment-based temporary residence permit application from within Lithuania. In these circumstances, applications must instead be submitted through a VFS Global centre abroad.
The restrictions do not apply to highly qualified employment. Foreign nationals coming to Lithuania for highly qualified work may continue to submit temporary residence permit applications under the usual procedure while legally present in Lithuania.
The procedure for replacing an existing employment-based temporary residence permit also remains unchanged. The Migration Department will continue to accept an application where the foreign national holds a valid employment-based temporary residence permit and no more than six months remain before its expiry.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania
Sweden: Government reintroduces internal border controls for six months
The Swedish Government has announced that internal border controls will remain in place for a further six-month period, from November 12, 2026, through May 11, 2027.
The decision follows the Government’s assessment that there continues to be a serious threat to public order and internal security.
Under the arrangements, the Swedish Police Authority will continue to determine where and how border checks are carried out. The controls are expected to be adapted according to what is considered necessary to safeguard public order and internal security.
The measure applies to Sweden’s internal Schengen borders and is permitted under the EU Schengen Borders Code, which allows member states to temporarily reintroduce internal border controls where there is a serious threat to public order or internal security.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Regeringen (available in Swedish)
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Joanna Sogeke (European Client Services Manager – Immigration).
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